Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1526409
7 NEWS maltatoday | SUNDAY • 8 SEPTEMBER 2024 OPEN CALLS FOR PROJECT PROPOSALS Extension of Deadline With reference to the announcement of Call 19 focusing on the Digitalisation of Public Administration and Entities launched under Priority 1. PO 1 - ERDF: A more competitive and smarter Europe by promoting innovative and smart economic transformation and regional ICT connectivity, RSO 1.2 - Reaping the benefits of digitalisation for citizens, companies, research organisations and public authorities (ERDF) of the European Regional Development Fund, issued on 2 nd June 2024, the Managing Authority responsible for the ERDF/CF/JTF 2021-2027 Programme is extending the deadline for the submission of projects. The deadline is being extended from Monday 30 th September to Wednesday 30 th October 2024 at 16.00. For further information, the Managing Authority can be contacted via email on fondi.eu@gov.mt. says. "This is why I get scared when Joseph is not seen by a paediatric nephrologist who un- derstands the risks associated with his condition and the com- plexity of any treatment he has to receive." She is perplexed how the hos- pital did not have a succession plan in place to have the paedi- atric consultant replaced upon retirement. Mater Dei Hospital now has no renal doctors spe- cialised in children, apart from a doctor still in training, and this is causing anxiety among par- ents of children with renal con- ditions. In replies to MaltaToday, the Health Ministry said the double resignations were "unforeseen" and an international call has now been issued for the post. The specialised child doctors had set up the clinic in 2014 and the decision back then meant that for most renal conditions, children could be treated at Ma- ter Dei Hospital rather than be sent for treatment in the UK. But the peace of mind parents had developed over the past 10 years has now been shattered and Davinia is not alone in ex- pressing her concern over the matter. "It is already a lot having to deal with the challenges my son's medical condition brings about, the last thing a parent needs is dealing with the hassle of not having a specialised consultant at Mater Dei Hospital," she tells me. Davinia acknowledges that if her son requires treatment that is unavailable in Malta he will be sent to the UK. But she fears about the im- mediate care he will receive at Mater Dei whenever he requires hospitalisation. "The trainee doctor is a won- derful person but she is trying to cope with a big workload. What happens if she is on sick or on leave, as is her right?" Davinia's question carries all the weight of a concerned moth- er, who fears for her son's well- being. She expects the health author- ities to take the necessary action to ensure that renal patients like Joseph get the best possible care at the hands of paediatric spe- cialists. Meanwhile, as the summer enters its twilight, Joseph is pre- paring to continue his school journey in Year 1. In a couple of weeks' time he will be sitting at his desk, playing with friends, drawing and running around the school playground. Joseph will be a carefree boy but for his mother, concerns over the quality of the treatment her son could be receiving at Mater Dei have been added to the never-ending worry about his wellbeing. THE Health Ministry has told MaltaToday that the hospital is in the process of appointing another consultant through an international call after nobody applied to a previous call. A spokesperson said the consultant who led the spe- cialised kidney service for children at Mater Dei Hospi- tal took early retirement and did not wish to extend her contract further. "There was a plan for the consultant to be replaced by a specialist but this specialist resigned for health reasons during the same time that the consultant decided to take early retirement," the minis- try said. Describing these develop- ments as "unforeseen circum- stances", the ministry said the hospital has "ensured that paediatric renal patients still receive the care they need until a new consultant is ap- pointed". The ministry spokesper- son said that in the interim children with renal problems were under the responsibility of the most senior consultant paediatrician. "He is being assisted by an adult nephrologist who is trained and experienced in caring for children with kid- ney problems and who used to care for these children be- fore the paediatric consultant took over their care 10 years ago," the ministry added. Additionally, the paediatric nephrology team from Great Ormond Street Hospital in the UK is also assisting with the care of these children. "The current trainee doctor is under the supervision of these consultants," the minis- try said. Health Ministry says international call issued